The President of the Republic of Benin Patrice Tolon was received today on an official visit by the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre, in the Magistral Palace. Grand Chancellor Albrecht Boeselager and Grand Hospitaller Dominique de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel  participated in the meeting, taking place in a constructive and cordial atmosphere.

The Order of Malta has been present in the French-speaking African country for over 40 years and has been managing a hospital with over 190 doctors and nurses in the city of Djougou since 1974.  Specialised in general medicine, paediatrics and obstetrics, every year the hospital treats some 10 thousand patients, performs 1500 surgical interventions and around 19,000 medical screenings.  The “Maison Margot” ward offers treatment and assistance to mothers and babies for preventing child mortality and diseases caused by malnutrition. Mobile clinics also offer the local population regular access to healthcare. In addition, the Order of Malta supports 10 health centres in other areas of the country, in Pabegou, Davougon, Azove, Madjre, Abomey, Zagnando, Adjouhun.  During today’s meeting, the President of Benin expressed his hope for a further extension of the Order of Malta’s healthcare activities in the country.

The Sovereign Order of Malta’s embassy in Benin, represented by Ambassador Jehan Philippe de Lastic Saint Jal, present today at the meeting with the President of Benin, offers logistic and administrative support to the hospital, guaranteeing the entry of medicines into the country and managing relations with other international bodies.